Chassis for water-ski towing device

ABSTRACT

A water-ski towing device incorporating a structural chassis that forms an assembly reference for the major components of the device and provides a rigid structure between the device&#39;&#39;s propulsion unit and an aft mounted tow bar assembly.

United States Patent 1191 Uroshevich Dec. 31, 1974 CHASSIS FOR WATER-SKI TOWING 3,002,202 10/1961 Luger, Jr. et a1. 9/6

DEVICE 3,062,172 11/1962 Moore 3,543,314 12/1970 Tropf et a1....... [76] In en r: Miro la r s vi h, 5 3,557,895 1/1971 Thomas 180/685 Fleetwood Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio I 452]] Primary Examiner-Trygve M. Blix [22] Filed: Oct. 12, 1973 Assistant Examiner-Sherman D. Basinger pp NO: 405,895 Attorney, Agent, or F1rm-Irw1n P. Garfinkle 52 US. Cl l15/6.l, 114/235 ws, 180/685 [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. A63c l1/l0, 862d 25/00 A water-ski towing device' incorporatinga structural [58] Field of Search l l5/6.l, 17, l A, 0; chassis that forms an assembly reference for the major 114/235 WS; 9/1 R, 6; 248/4; 180/685 components of the device and provides a rigid structure between the devices propulsion unit and an aft [56] References Cited mounted tow bar assembly. I 579 529 UNITED STATES PATENTS 14 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 4/1926 Haschke 1 15/6.]

CHASSIS FOR WATER -SKI TOWING DEVICE The present invention relates to a water-ski towing device and more particularly to structural features of this type of device.

A number of prior art water-ski towing devices have been proposed. Generally, these devices consist of a buoyant hull containing a marine propulsion unit and a two bar assembly extending aft. The two bar assembly has hand grips and remote controls so that a water skier can be towed and also control the device. Examples of this may be found in US. Pat. Nos. 2,914,018, 3,062,172 and 3,181,493.

One item that has been overlooked in these devices isthe capability of being efficiently mass produced. An additional feature not found is a lightweight and effective interconnection between the propulsion unit and the operator tow bar.

The above problems are solved in a water-ski towing device by a structural chassis having a forward horizontal engine mounting section and an aft mounting pad. A bouyant hull is secured to the lower side of the chassis in a predetermined relationship and a water-ski operator tow bar assembly is'secured to the aft mounting pad.

The above'and other related objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description of the disclosureshown in the accompanying drawing and the novelty thereof pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat simplified external side view of a water-ski towing device which incorporates a construction embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a highly enlarged fragmentary section view of the water-ski towing device of FIG. I particularly illustrating the constructional features of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a plan view'of FIG. 2, taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a water-ski tovgigg An engine 16, preferably of the marine type, is mounted within the bouyant hull, as described below, and has a vertical output shaft extending downward through a streamlined strut 18 extending to a suitable right-angle gear set 30 which drives a propeller 22. The propeller 22 preferably is surrounded by a shroud assembly 24, as outlined in copending patent application Ser. No. 403,440, filed Oct. 4, 1973, entitled Propulsion Unit for a Water-Ski Towing Device," M. Uroshevich and H. March co-inventor's. A tow'bar 25 extending aft to an operator handle 26 is connected to the W10 thgp g gh an adjustable tow bar latching mecha nism 28 as pointed out in copending patent application Ser. No. 405,896 filed Oct. 12,-1973, entitled Tow Bar Assembly for Water-Ski Towing Device," R. Powers inventor.

In accordance with the present invention the waterski towing device includes a structural chassis generally indicated at 30 to interconnect the major components and to greatly facilitate assembly of the device. The structural chassis 30 is shownparticularly in FIGS. 2 and 3 and comprises a horizontal elongated base plate 32 lying along the floor 11 of hull l and having fore and aft reinforcing ribs 34, 36 and a cutout 38 to lighten the structure. Base plate 32 has a protrusion in the form of an integral oval plate 40 on its bottom face. Plate 40 isreceived in a complementary recess 42 in hull 10. As shown, recess 42 is an opening in the floor ll of hull 10 so that plate 40 forms a part of the bottom of hull 10. It should be noted that the complementary recess need not be through the hull but may be in a section spaced upward from the floor 11 of the hull l0. Suitable screw assemblies 44 are countersunk into the outside bottom surface of hull 10 and extend through base plate 32 to secure the chassis 30 and hull 10 together.

A continuous rib 46 extends upward from the base plate 32 and comprises fore and aft curved sections 48 and side sections 50 forming extensions of elongated ribs 36. The upper edge 52 of rib 46 is oval in shape, as viewed in FIG. 3, and forms a mounting pad for an engine adaptor housing 54. Thisv housing 54 has an upper flange 56 on which the engine 16 is mounted in a suitable fashion and a lower flange 58 is positioned over the continuous rib 46. A series of screw assemblies 59 extend through the flange 58 and are countersunk in plate 40 to hold the engine adaptor housing 54 on continuous rib 46. It is noted that the perimeter of lower flange 58 conforms to the shape of the continuous rib 46 to maintain uniform contact around its upper edge 52. The streamlined strut 18, which extends to the propeller gear set 20, is secured to the bottom face of flange 58 by means of screw assemblies that extend through an upper flange on strut l8 and through flange 58. A suitable sealed opening 60 is formed in base plate 32 and plate 40 for strut 18. It should be noted that engine adaptor housing 54 can be easily modified to mount a wide variety of engines and still fit the chassis 30.

A continuous upwardly extending rib 62 is positioned on the chassis 30 aft of the engine adaptor housing 54. Rib 62 is rectangular in shape, as viewed in FIG. 3, and has opposed sections 64 extending at right angles to and on top of elongated ribs34, 36. Opposed outboard sections 66 interconnect with sections 64. The perimeter of rib 62 is made large enough to accommodate a battery 68 of maximum anticipated size for engine 16. Hook elements 70 are positioned adjacent the corners of rib 62. Resilient straps 72 have looped ends 74 that are hooked over elements 70. Straps 72 are extended across the top of battery 68 to hold it in place over ribs 34 and 36.

An aft mounting pad 76 extends upward from base plate 32 and abuts the inside wall of a transom 78 for hull l0. Webs 80 extend upward from elongated ribs 34, 36 and connect with mounting pad 76 to reinforce it. A mounting plate 82 for the adjustable latching mechanism 28 is secured to mounting pad 76 by bolt assemblies 84. Bolt assemblies extend through transon 78 so that it is sandwiched between pad 76 and plate 82.

The assembly of the water-ski towing device takes place as follows. The engine adaptor housing 54 is secured to theengine mounting rib 46 by means of the screw assemblies 59. The engine 16 is thenmounted to the upper flange 50 of the housing 54. At this point the chassis 30 is secured to the hull 10 by means of bolt assemblies 44. The hull 10 is then inverted and the strut 18 extended upward through openings 60 in the bottom of chassis 30 for securing to the lower flange 58 of housing 54. After this-is done the adjustable traction bar assembly 28 is secured to the aft mounting pad 76 by means of bolt assemblies 84. The battery 68 is conveniently held within the rib 62 by the flexible straps 72.

It should be noted that the chassis 30 serves as a major support and reference point for substantially all of the major components making up the water-ski towing device. Preferably, the chassis is cast from an integral piece so that it can be made with extremely precise dimensions, thereby facilitating accurate and rapid assembly. In addition, the chassis 30 forms a rigid structural interconnection between the propulsion unit and the mounting pad for the tow bar. It is also an extremely light and strong structure able to withstand the many random loads imposed on a device of this type.

While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it may be practiced in other forms without departing from its spirit and scope.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as novel and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A water-ski towing device comprising:

a buoyant hull having a floor and an aft transom extending out of the plane of the said floor, the configuration of said floor including a recess, for accommodating the passage of an engine shaft;

a unitary structural chassis positioned in said hull, said chassis having a forward engine mounting section, an elongated fore and aft extending base section, and an aft mounting pad, said sections having a configuration complementary to a portion of said hull, said portion including said recess, said aft mounting pad having a configuration complementary to said aft transom;

means for securing said chassis and said hull; and

an o stator tow. bar assemblx s ecured tg said vaft mounting pad through sa' 2fKWate r-ski towing devi as in c l aim 1 wherein said chassis further comprises webs interconnecting said mounting pad and said base section.

3. A water-ski towing device as in claim 2 wherein said mounting pad is positioned against the inner wall of said transom and said operator tow bar assembly is positioned against the outer wall of said transom, whereby said hull is sandwiched between said mounting pad and said tow bar assembly.

4. A water-ski towing device as in claim 1 further comprising:

an engine adaptor housing having a lower flange and an upper flange on which an engine is mounted; and

means for securing said lower flange to said engine mounting section.

5. A water-ski towing device as in claim 4 wherein:

said engine mounting section comprises a rib extending upward from said base and forming an enclosed wall generally conforming to the perimeter of the lower flange of said engine adaptor;

said lower flange securing means comprises bolt assemblies extending through said lower flange and secured to said base section thereby holding said flange against said engine mounting rib.

6. A water-ski towing device as in claim 5 wherein said engine adaptor is for a marine-type engine having a vertical output shaft extending downward through said engine adaptor housing and said device further comprises a streamline strut housing said shaft and extending downward to a point beneath said hull, said strut being secured to said lower flange of said engine adaptor housing.

7. A water-ski towing device as in claim 1 wherein said elongated base section comprises:

a flat elongated base plate extending from said engine mounting section to said aft mounting pad;

a plurality of elongated ribs extending from said engine mounting section to said aft mounting pad.

8. A water-ski towing device as in claim 7 wherein:

said aft mounting pad extends upward from said base plate;

said chassis further comprises webs extending between said aft mounting pad and said elongated rib.

9. A water-ski towing device as in claim 8 wherein said engine mounting section comprises a continuous rib extending upward from said base plate and having integral side sections forming extensions of said elongated ribs, the upper edge of said continuous rib forming a mounting pad for housing adaptor engine.

10. A water-ski towing device as in claim 1 wherein said chassis further comprises an accessory mounting section in between said engine mounting section and said aft mounting pad.

11. A water-ski towing device as in claim 10 wherein said accessory mounting section is adapted to mount a battery and comprises:

a continuous rib extending upward from said base section and defining a generally rectangular perimeter at least as great as the perimeter for a storage battery; and

meansfor resiliently holding a battery within said continuous rib.

12. A water-ski towing device as in claim 11 wherein said resilient holding means comprises:

hook elements adjacent opposite corners of said continuous rib; and

resilient straps extending between and hooked over said hook elements for holding a battery in place.

13. A water-ski towing device as in claim 1 wherein said means for securing said chassis and hull comprises:

said protrusion comprises a plate integral with said chassis; and said recess comprises an opening in the bottom of said hull conforming to the perimeter of said plate. 

1. A water-ski towing device comprising: a buoyant hull having a floor and an aft transom extending out of the plane of the said floor, the configuration of said floor including a recess for accommodating the passage of an engine shaft; a unitary structural chassis positioned in said hull, said chassis having a forward engine mounting section, an elongated fore and aft extending base section, and an aft mounting pad, said sections having a configuration complementary to a portion of said hull, said portion including said recess, said aft mounting pad having a configuration complementary to said aft transom; means for securing said chassis and said hull; and an operator tow bar assembly secured to said aft mounting pad through said transom.
 2. A water-ski towing device as in claim 1 wherein said chassis further comprises webs interconnecting said mounting pad and said base section.
 3. A water-ski towing device as in claim 2 wherein said mounting pad is positioned against the inner wall of said transom and said operator tow bar assembly is positioned against the outer wall of said transom, whereby said hull is sandwiched between said mounting pad and said tow bar assembly.
 4. A water-ski towing device as in claim 1 further comprising: an engine adaptor housing having a lower flange and an upper flange on which an engine is mounted; and means for securing said lower flange to said engine mounting section.
 5. A water-ski towing device as in claim 4 wherein: said engine mounting section comprises a rib extending upward from said base and forming an enclosed wall generally conforming to the perimeter of the lower flange of said engine adaptor; said lower flange securing means comprises bolt assemblies extending through said lower flange and secured to said base section thereby holding said flange against said engine mounting rib.
 6. A water-ski towing device as in claim 5 wherein said engine adaptor is for a marine-type engine having a vertical output shaft extending downward through said engine adaptor housing and said device further comprises a streamline strut housing said shaft and extending downward to a point beneath said hull, said strut being secured to said lower flange of said engine adaptor housing.
 7. A water-ski towing device as in claim 1 wherein said elongated base section comprises: a flat elongated base plate extending from said engine mounting section to said aft mounting pad; a plurality of elongated ribs extending from said engine mounting section to said aft mounting pad.
 8. A water-ski towing device as in claim 7 wherein: said aft mounting pad extends upward from said base plate; said chassis further comprises webs extending between said aft mounting pad and said elongated rib.
 9. A water-ski towing device as in claim 8 wherein said engine mounting section comprises a continuous rib extending upward from said base plate and having integral side sections forming extensions of said elongated ribs, the upper edge of said continuous rib forming a mounting pad for housing adaptor engine.
 10. A water-ski towing device as in claim 1 wherein said chassis further comprises an accessory mounting section in between said engine mounting section and said aft mountinG pad.
 11. A water-ski towing device as in claim 10 wherein said accessory mounting section is adapted to mount a battery and comprises: a continuous rib extending upward from said base section and defining a generally rectangular perimeter at least as great as the perimeter for a storage battery; and means for resiliently holding a battery within said continuous rib.
 12. A water-ski towing device as in claim 11 wherein said resilient holding means comprises: hook elements adjacent opposite corners of said continuous rib; and resilient straps extending between and hooked over said hook elements for holding a battery in place.
 13. A water-ski towing device as in claim 1 wherein said means for securing said chassis and hull comprises: a protrusion complementary to said recess, said protrusion extending downward from said chassis into said recess; said complementary recess in said hull receiving said chassis in a predetermined relationship.
 14. A water-ski towing device as in claim 13 wherein: said protrusion comprises a plate integral with said chassis; and said recess comprises an opening in the bottom of said hull conforming to the perimeter of said plate. 